System for inductive energy transfer

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for inductive energy transfer, in particular for inductive energy transfer to a mobile application (100), comprising a stationary inductive charging device (2, 2a), which has a stationary energy coil (3, 3a), and a mobile inductive charging device (2, 2b), which has a stationary energy coil (3, 3a), the mobile inductive charging device has a mobile energy coil (3, 3b). A precise and robust identification of the relative position of the energy coils (3) relative to each other is achieved by means of a positioning device (4) which has four transmitting coils (5) in one of the inductive charging devices (2) and at least one receiver (6) in the other inductive charging device (2), according to the invention, the transmitting coils (5) generate positioning fields (60) which can be distinguished from one another and which interact with the at least one receiver (6), and whether the energy coils (3) overlap one another is identified as a function of the proportion of the positioning fields (60). The invention further relates to such an inductive charging device (2) and to a mobile application (100), in particular a motor vehicle (101), having such a mobile inductive charging device (2, 2b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a system for inductive energy transmission, comprising a stationary inductive charging device and a mobile inductive charging device, which interact with one another during charging operation for inductive energy transmission. The invention also relates to such an inductive charging device and a mobile application having such an inductive charging device. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a system for inductive energy transmission has a fixed inductive charging device and a mobile inductive charging device. During charging operation, the energy coil of one of the inductive charging devices is used as a primary coil, and the energy coil of the other inductive charging device is used as a secondary coil. Typically, this type of system is used for inductive energy transmission to mobile applications, such as motor vehicles, wherein the mobile application has a mobile inductive charging device. In mobile applications, the energy coil of the mobile inductive charging device is usually a secondary coil during charging operation. For inductive energy transmission, the primary coil generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the secondary coil. In order to enable inductive energy transmission and to improve the efficiency of inductive energy transmission, the primary coil and the secondary coil and therefore the energy coil of the inductive charging device can be positioned accordingly relative to each other. For this purpose, it is conceivable to equip the system with a corresponding positioning device.

[0003] A corresponding system is known, for example, from EP 2 727 759 B1. The system has a localization device for a motor vehicle having a mobile inductive charging device in order to be able to navigate the motor vehicle. The inductive charging device has a transmitter and a receiver.

[0004] DE 10 2012 205 283 A1 shows a system having a positioning device with an even number of detector coil elements which are wound in pairs in opposite directions and form detector pairs.

[0005] The system shown in EP 3 347 230 B1 comprises a locating device which has a transmitting unit in a mobile inductive charging device, which transmits a transmission signal of a predetermined frequency during operation. In addition, the locating device has a receiving unit on a stationary inductive charging device, which simultaneously receives the transmission signal and determines a signal portion of the transmission signal. The relative position is determined based on the determined signal portion.

[0006] DE 10 2017 215 932 B3 describes a method for determining position information of a motor vehicle on a substrate. The motor vehicle has a mobile inductive charging device. By energizing the power coil of the mobile inductive charging device, at least one magnetic structure arranged in or on the substrate over which the motor vehicle drives is magnetized. The structure is stored in a digital map together with a position description of the corresponding structure, wherein the position of the motor vehicle is determined based on the magnetized structure. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved or at least different embodiment for a system of the type mentioned at the outset, for an inductive charging device for the system and for a mobile use of a mobile inductive charging device having the system, which embodiment in particular eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the invention is based on the object of providing an improved or at least different embodiment for the system, for the inductive charging device and for the mobile use, which embodiment is distinguished by an increased accuracy and / or an increased robustness of the detection of the relative positioning of the power coils of the system.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the following general idea: in a system with two power coils that interact inductively in charging operation, four transmitting coils are arranged relative to one of the power coils, the transmitting coils generating fields that can be distinguished from each other, and at least one receiver of the fields is arranged relative to the other power coil, wherein, in order to identify the relative position of the power coils relative to each other, a ratio between at least two of the fields generated by the transmitting coil is determined by means of at least one receiver. Due to the fixed arrangement of the transmitting coils relative to the associated power coils and the fixed arrangement of at least one receiver relative to the other power coil, the ratio changes depending on the relative position of the power coils relative to each other. Thus, the power coils are arranged, for example, overlapping relative to each other with a predetermined ratio of the fields. In this way, the relative position of the power coils and in particular the overlapping arrangement of the power coils relative to each other can be determined in a simple and effective manner. Due to the fact that the relative position of the power coils relative to each other is identified by taking into account the ratio of the fields, a reliable determination of the relative position is provided, in particular compared to the determination of absolute values ​​known from the prior art. This is done in particular because the ratio of the received fields does not change or only changes slightly when the spacing changes in the height direction. Thus, for example, a mobile inductive charging device can be installed or arranged at different heights in the associated application, and / or a stationary inductive charging device can be installed or arranged at different heights or depths, and the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another can still be identified without further calibration. That is, the identification of the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another is simplified by means of the concept according to the invention.

[0010] As mentioned above, taking the ratio into account to identify the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another has the advantage, in particular, that repeated calibration of the inductive charging devices that inductively transmit energy to one another can be omitted. That is, at least one ratio can be predetermined in advance, wherein when such a ratio is determined from the received field, it is recognized that there is a corresponding relative position of the energy coils relative to one another. In this way, it is particularly possible to either transmit the predetermined ratio from the inductive charging device that generates the field to the receiving inductive charging device once, preferably before the start of positioning, in order to determine the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another. Alternatively and preferably, the ratio is predetermined in a fixed manner, so that the predetermined ratio is stored in the receiving inductive charging device and therefore does not need to be transmitted to the receiving inductive charging device. This makes it possible, in particular, to determine the relative position between the energy coils of different stationary inductive charging devices and different mobile inductive charging devices in a simple and robust manner without a previously occurring calibration.

[0011] According to the inventive concept, the system has a stationary inductive charging device with a power coil and a mobile inductive charging device with a mobile power coil. In the charging operation of the system, one of the power coils generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the other power coil for energy transmission. Here, in the charging operation, the inductive charging devices, in particular the power coils, are spaced apart from each other in the height direction. In addition, the system has a positioning device, which is used to identify the relative positions of the power coils relative to each other. The positioning device has four transmitting coils in one of the inductive charging devices and a receiver in the other inductive charging device. The transmitting coils are spaced apart from each other, wherein two of the transmitting coils are arranged opposite each other so that the transmitting coils bound a virtual frame. The frame defines a virtual frame volume, which extends in the height direction starting from the frame. Here, the energy coils of the associated inductive charging device are at least partially arranged in the virtual frame volume. The positioning device is configured so that the transmitting coils generate fields that can be distinguished from each other in the positioning operation, which are also referred to as positioning fields below. Furthermore, the at least one receiver is designed such that, in a positioning operation, it interacts with a positioning field generated by means of the transmitting coil. Furthermore, the positioning device is designed such that, in a positioning operation, it determines a ratio between at least two of the positioning fields by means of the at least one receiver and detects, based on the at least one ratio, whether a power coil of an inductive charging device having a receiver is within the virtual frame volume and outputs a positioning signal accordingly.

[0012] The determined ratio expediently corresponds to a local ratio of the localization field.

[0013] The positioning can include the proximity of the energy coils to each other and the exact positioning of the energy coils relative to each other, also referred to below as near-field positioning. Here, expediently, the positioning device described at present is used for near-field positioning. Here, advantageously, the near-field positioning is used when the energy coils have a spacing of less than 1.0 m, preferably less than 0.5 m relative to each other, in order to position the energy coils exactly relative to each other. In order to bring the energy coils closer to each other, at least one proximity field can be used.

[0014] Preferably, the corresponding power coil has at least one winding. In the context of the invention, in particular with regard to the extension of the power coil, in particular the total surface area spanned by the at least one winding can be understood. In other words, in the case of a flat coil, the central area in which no winding can be present also belongs to the power coil.

[0015] During operation, a magnetic and / or electromagnetic type of localization field is generated by means of the corresponding transmission coils. That is to say, the corresponding localization field is a magnetic field and / or an electromagnetic field.

[0016] For example, it is conceivable to generate at least one of the locating fields as an electromagnetic locating field in the ultra-wideband range.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, during the positioning operation, at least one of the at least one transmitting coil, preferably the corresponding transmitting coil, generates a magnetic positioning field. Compared with the electromagnetic positioning field, the magnetic positioning field has the following advantages: the receiver receives the positioning field in a simplified and reliable manner. In addition, it is possible in this way to omit calibration, for example, in terms of flight time difference, as is usually required in the case of electromagnetic fields and / or acoustic fields. Therefore, a simplified and robust determination of the ratio and therefore of the relative position of the energy coils relative to each other is achieved with the help of the magnetic positioning field. In addition, the omission of the calibration performed in particular in the case of corresponding positioning leads to the possibility of performing positioning between different inductive charging devices. In other words, the use of the magnetic positioning field allows the positioning performed with the help of different inductive charging devices to be implemented in a simple manner.

[0018] Preferably, the main axis of the corresponding positioning field extends along the height direction. That is, the corresponding positioning field propagates at least mainly in the height direction or along the height direction, and therefore can only be received locally in the area of ​​the assigned transmitting coil and energy coil, that is, basically on or in the immediate surroundings of the energy coil, transverse to the height direction. Therefore, with the help of the positioning field, the relative position is determined locally and therefore close to the fixed inductive charging device, that is, when the mobile inductive charging device is already close to the fixed inductive charging device. This type of main axis has the following advantages on the one hand: the relative position is determined more accurately, especially because the corresponding volume is more accurately defined. On the other hand, in this way, the overlap between the positioning fields of adjacent inductive charging devices, such as adjacent fixed inductive charging devices, transverse to the height direction is prevented or at least reduced. The latter leads to a more accurate determination of the relative position and a simplified, interference-reduced and reliable operation of multiple adjacent inductive charging devices, such as adjacent fixed inductive charging devices.

[0019] Advantageously, the main axis of the localization field extending in the height direction is realized by the associated transmission coil being wound around a winding axis extending parallel or substantially parallel to the height direction. That is, the transmission coil has at least one conductor path through which current flows during operation, which conductor path is wound around a winding axis extending parallel or substantially parallel to the height direction.

[0020] If the power coils of the inductive charging device with the at least one receiver are located within the frame volume, this means that the power coils are arranged one above the other in the height direction and overlap one another transversely to the height direction.

[0021] Advantageously, a ratio is predetermined in advance, which ratio means that the power coil of the inductive charging device with the at least one receiver is arranged within the frame volume. Preferably, the predetermined ratio is stored so that it is detected based on a comparison of the ratio determined by means of the at least one receiver (hereinafter also referred to as the determined ratio) with the stored ratio whether the power coil of the inductive charging device with the at least one receiver is within the frame volume.

[0022] As mentioned above, the frame is bounded by the transmitting coil. The frame is a surface, wherein the surface defines a frame volume. Here, the frame volume extends from the surface in the height direction. Accordingly, the energy coil of the inductive charging device with the transmitting coil is either arranged in the frame or arranged offset to the frame in the height direction.

[0023] In charging operation, one of the power coils serves as a primary coil for generating an alternating field, and the other power coil serves as a secondary coil in which the alternating field induces a voltage.

[0024] In this case, the energy coil of the stationary inductive charging device is usually used as the primary coil, and the energy coil of the mobile inductive charging device is used as the secondary coil. Variants are also conceivable in which the mobile inductive charging device transfers energy inductively to the stationary inductive charging device. Bidirectional energy transmission is also conceivable.

[0025] With the aid of this system, energy is in particular inductively transmitted to a mobile application having a mobile inductive charging device. In this case, the voltage induced in the power coil of the mobile inductive charging device during charging operation can be used to charge a battery. For this purpose, a rectifier can be provided between the power coil and the battery.

[0026] In particular, energy is inductively transmitted to a motor vehicle as a mobile application by means of the system in order, for example, to charge a battery of the motor vehicle.

[0027] In particular, in mobile applications, the positioning signal can be used to predetermine the relative movement of the mobile inductive charging device relative to the stationary inductive charging device in such a way that the energy coils are arranged in the frame volume. In other words, the positioning signal can be used to navigate the mobile inductive charging device or the associated application. For this purpose, instructions for moving, in particular for driving the application, can be provided to a person, in particular a motor vehicle guide, based on the positioning signal. For this purpose, optical signals and / or acoustic signals can be output, for example. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to perform an autonomous movement of the application, in particular the motor vehicle, based on the positioning signal in order to achieve the arrangement of the two energy coils in the frame volume.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the positioning device is configured such that a virtual target area is bounded within the frame. Here, the target area defines a virtual target volume within the frame volume, the virtual target volume extending in the height direction starting from the target area, and the energy coil of the inductive charging device with the transmitting coil is at least partially arranged in the virtual target volume. In addition, the positioning device is configured such that the positioning device recognizes, based on at least one ratio, whether the energy coil of the inductive charging device with at least one receiver is within the target volume. That is, the target volume is a sub-volume of the frame volume. That is, in this way, the recognition of the relative position of the energy coils is improved and becomes more precise. In addition, when two energy coils are arranged in the target volume, a greater overlap of the energy coils is achieved and thus a higher efficiency is achieved in the charging operation compared to when two energy coils are arranged in the frame volume and outside the target volume.

[0029] The frame volume and the target volume are advantageously selected such that the transmission coils are arranged and / or the localization fields are generated such that, with overlapping of the energy coils in the frame volume and / or in the target volume, an efficiency of at least 90% is achieved in charging operation.

[0030] In principle, the system can have two or more receivers.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the system has a single receiver. The system is thus constructed in a simplified and cost-effective manner.

[0032] In principle, the respective at least one receiver can be designed in any desired manner.

[0033] In particular, at least one of the at least one receiver is a coil, which is also referred to as a receiving coil in the following.

[0034] During operation, the localization field thus induces a voltage in at least one receiving coil, which voltage is output as an output signal of the receiving coil in order to ascertain a ratio of at least two of the localization fields.

[0035] In particular, at least one of the at least one receiving coil can be designed as a flat coil.

[0036] In principle, at least one of the at least one receiving coil can correspond to a power coil of an inductive charging device having a receiving coil.

[0037] It is also conceivable that the power coil of the inductive charging device having the at least one receiver is different from the power coil of the associated inductive charging device.

[0038] Advantageously, the respective localization field has a location-dependent intensity profile with intensity flanks leading to an intensity maximum.

[0039] It should be understood that at least one receiver has a lower threshold for interacting with the positioning field. This results in, in particular, that at least one receiver interacts with these positioning fields when the distance from the positioning field is less than a predetermined distance. In principle, the positioning device, in particular the transmitting coil, can be permanently in operation. It is conceivable that the positioning operation is triggered when the distance is less than the corresponding distance between at least one receiver and the positioning field, in particular between the inductive charging devices. This can be achieved in particular in the following way: the mobile inductive charging device sends a Ping signal (Ping signal), and when the sound pulse signal is received by the fixed inductive charging device, the transmitting coil generates a positioning field.

[0040] An embodiment is considered advantageous in which, during the localization operation, the respective transmission coils generate a localization field with an intensity maximum, wherein the transmission coils are arranged spaced apart from one another and / or the localization device is operated in such a way that the intensity maxima of the localization field are spaced apart from one another and the localization fields of at least two of the opposite transmission coils coincide in the frame volume, in particular in the target volume, i.e. are present in particular in each case in a measurable manner. The coincidence of the localization fields allows the associated ratios to be determined in a simplified and reliable manner and thus allows the relative positions of the energy coils to be detected in a simplified and robust manner.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning device is configured so that the frame volume, advantageously the target volume, is arranged in a predetermined ratio range between the intensity maxima of the positioning fields of the corresponding opposing transmitting coils. Therefore, the ratio range is assigned to the opposing transmitting coils, so that when the determined ratio is in the assigned ratio range, the overlap of the energy coils along the opposing transmitting coils can be identified. That is, in this way, not only the overlap of the energy coils relative to each other can be identified, but also the following direction: the energy coils overlap transversely to the height direction in this direction. Therefore, a more precise identification of the relative position of the energy coils relative to each other is achieved. In addition, in this way it is possible to output a positioning signal, which leads to navigation of the mobile inductive charging device or the assigned application in such a way that the energy coils overlap each other.

[0042] Similar to the ratio, the at least one ratio range is predetermined in advance. Preferably, at least one ratio range is stored, so that based on a comparison of the determined ratio with the assigned ratio range, it can be detected whether there is an overlap of the power coils along the assigned opposite transmitting coils and / or whether there is an offset along the assigned opposite transmitting coils.

[0043] In this case, the frame volume and the target volume can each be assigned an associated ratio range. Expediently, at least one ratio range assigned to the target volume is narrower than at least one ratio range assigned to the frame volume.

[0044] For example, at least one of the at least one ratio range assigned to the target volume can be between 1:0.1 and 0.1:1.

[0045] For example, at least one of the at least one ratio range assigned to the frame volume can be between 10:0.05 and 0.05:10.

[0046] Furthermore, the concept according to the present invention offers the following advantage: Based on the identification of the relative positions of the energy coils with respect to one another on the basis of the at least one ratio, a simplified identification of the relative positions of the energy coils with respect to one another is also possible in the case of stationary inductive charging devices and mobile inductive charging devices that are spaced differently relative to one another in the height direction, in that ratios and / or ratio ranges that are correspondingly adapted to different spacings in the height direction can be predetermined in advance and taken into account.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the predetermined ratios, preferably the corresponding ratio, is spaced apart from the intensity maximum of the assigned localization field. Particularly preferably, at least one of the predetermined ratio ranges, preferably the corresponding ratio range, is spaced apart from the intensity maximum of the assigned localization field. The curve thus avoids using the determined ratio between the two humps. Errors in the identification of the relative positions of the energy coils relative to one another are thus prevented or at least reduced.

[0048] Embodiments are advantageous in which the frame volume, in particular the target volume, is arranged between the intensity flanks that are consecutive to one another of the localization field generated by means of the opposing transmission coils. This means that the frame volume or the target volume is thus spaced apart from the intensity maximum. The above-described disadvantages that occur due to the double hump of the intensity maximum are thus avoided within the entire frame volume or target volume.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmitting coils are arranged spaced apart from one another and / or the locating device is operated in such a way that the strengths of at least two of the locating fields generated by means of the opposing transmitting coils correspond to one another in the center of the power coil of the inductive charging device having the transmitting coils. In other words, the ratio of at least two of the locating fields generated by means of the opposing transmitting coils is 1:1 in the center of the associated power coil. Thus, the arrangement of the power coils in the center relative to one another in the direction of the opposing transmitting coils can be detected in a simple and robust manner.

[0050] In principle, the transmission coils can be designed in any desired manner. In particular, it is conceivable that at least two of the transmission coils are designed differently.

[0051] It is conceivable that one of the transmitting coils corresponds to a power coil of the inductive charging device having the transmitting coil.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting coil is different from a power coil of an inductive charging device having a transmitting coil.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting coils are designed identically, so that the system can be manufactured in a simplified manner and, at the same time, an identical intensity profile of the localization field can be implemented in a simple manner.

[0054] Preferred is an embodiment in which at least one of the at least one transmitting coil, advantageously the respective transmitting coil, is designed as a flat coil. As a result, the locating device can be designed to be compact.

[0055] Preferably, in the positioning mode, the transmitting coils each generate the same intensity profile. The ratio can thus be determined and predetermined in a simplified manner. The same applies to the ratio range.

[0056] Advantageously, at least two of the localization fields are generated and / or the transmitting coils are arranged in such a way that the localization fields are symmetrical with respect to one another.

[0057] Preferably, the transmitting coil is designed and / or the locating device is operated in such a way that the overall intensity profile of the locating field generated by the transmitting coil is symmetrical. Preferably, this symmetry applies to the transmitting coils lying opposite and / or to the power coil of the inductive charging device having the transmitting coil. In this way, the relative position of the power coils relative to one another is simplified.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, two of the transmitting coils are arranged opposite each other in a longitudinal direction extending transversely to the height direction. These transmitting coils are also referred to as longitudinal transmitting coils hereinafter. It is also preferred that the two transmitting coils are arranged opposite each other in a transverse direction extending transversely to the height direction and transversely to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, with the help of the respectively assigned ratios or ratio ranges, the overlap or offset of the energy coils relative to each other can be identified not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction. This leads to an improved accuracy in the determination of the relative positions of the energy coils relative to each other. In addition, in this way, the navigation of the mobile inductive charging device, in particular the application, relative to the fixed inductive charging device can be simplified and more accurately achieved, so as to achieve the overlap of the two energy coils not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction.

[0059] Embodiments in which the transmitting coils are arranged such that the frame is quadrangular are advantageous. This provides clear boundaries of the frame and thus a clear definition of the frame volume. Similar content applies to the target region and to the target volume.

[0060] Preferably, the frame is rectangular and / or the transmission coils are arranged in the corners of the rectangle. Thus, two transmission coils lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction and two transmission coils lying opposite each other in the transverse direction are respectively realized by means of four transmission coils. Thus, an increased accuracy and robustness of the detection of the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another is provided with a cost-effective design of the system. Furthermore, in this way, the frame volume and preferably also the target volume have the shape of a cuboid.

[0061] In principle, localization fields that can be distinguished from one another can be implemented in any desired manner.

[0062] Advantageously, the locating device is designed such that in locating operation, the transmitting coils are operated at different frequencies and the locating fields, in particular the magnetic locating fields, are thus distinguishable. That is to say, the respective transmitting coils are operated at an associated frequency or in an associated frequency band, wherein the frequencies or frequency bands of the transmitting coils are distinguishable from one another.

[0063] It is conceivable to operate the transmission coil in the positioning mode at a frequency in the MHz range.

[0064] Advantageously, the transmitting coil is operated in the positioning mode at a frequency in the range between 5 kHz and 150 kHz. Preferably, the transmitting coil is operated in the positioning mode at a frequency between 110 kHz and 148.5 kHz, particularly preferably between 120 kHz and 145 kHz.

[0065] In this case, the frequencies assigned to the transmitting coils are preferably spaced as closely as possible from one another so that the required overall frequency spectrum is small. The frequencies are spaced from one another by, for example, 5 kHz or 1 kHz or 100 Hz or 1 Hz or less.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the localization fields that can be distinguished from each other can be realized by different duty cycles of the transmitting coils. That is to say, the positioning device is configured so that in the positioning operation, the transmitting coils are operated with respectively assigned duty cycles (also referred to as "duty cycles" for those skilled in the art) and the localization fields can be distinguished. The use of the duty cycle results in that the transmitting coils can be operated with the same frequency or the same frequency band as a whole. That is, therefore, a smaller frequency spectrum is required to operate the system or the positioning device. In addition, this particularly leads to a reduced influence of the positioning device on nearby components.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the stationary inductive charging device has a transmitting coil and the mobile inductive charging device has at least one receiver. Since the relative movement of the mobile inductive charging device relative to the stationary inductive charging device is achieved in order to orient the energy coils relative to each other, at least one ratio can be determined in the mobile inductive charging device and whether there is an overlap of the energy coils can be detected. Therefore, compared to the corresponding determination in the stationary inductive charging device and the transmission to the mobile inductive charging device or the associated application, the result is present in the mobile inductive charging device or in the application. In other words, delays in the detection of the relative positions of the energy coils relative to each other are prevented or at least reduced. This leads in particular to smooth navigation of the mobile inductive charging device or an application having the mobile inductive charging device.

[0068] Preferably, the transmitting coils are each designed as flat coils.

[0069] At least one of the inductive charging devices, preferably the respective inductive charging device, has a flux guidance unit for guiding a magnetic field. Advantageously, the flux guidance unit has at least one flux guidance element, preferably at least one ferrite element.

[0070] Preferably, an inductive charging device having a transmitting coil has a magnetic flux guidance unit, wherein at least one of the transmitting coils, preferably the respective transmitting coil, is arranged above the magnetic flux guidance unit so that the magnetic flux guidance unit shields the localization field generated by the transmitting coil on the side facing away from the other inductive charging device during charging operation and strengthens the localization field toward the other inductive charging device. This has the effect that the localization field toward the other inductive charging device is strengthened, in particular has an increased range, and at the same time interference by other components is prevented or at least reduced.

[0071] Preferably, the inductive charging device with the transmitting coil comprises a flat coil as the power coil and a magnetic flux guiding unit which is larger than the transmitting coil and has a magnetic flux guiding element, in particular a ferrite plate, for guiding the alternating field generated by the stationary power coil during charging operation. The transmitting coil overlaps the power coil and is arranged in a plane extending parallel to the power coil in a quadrangular, advantageously rectangular, corner.

[0072] The transmission coil can be arranged between the power coil and the magnetic flux guidance unit or can be arranged on a side of a coil carrier carrying the power coil facing away from the power coil.

[0073] Of course, the system can also include two or more stationary inductive charging devices and / or two or more mobile inductive charging devices, which can each transfer energy inductively during charging operation depending on the respective positioning relative to each other. This means in particular that a stationary inductive charging device can also be provided for use by two or more mobile inductive charging devices in order to transfer energy inductively with these mobile inductive charging devices during charging operation. For example, a stationary inductive charging device in the form of a charging point can be used to charge different applications, in particular motor vehicles, wherein the applications each have such a mobile inductive charging device.

[0074] In this case, the stationary inductive charging device and / or the mobile inductive charging device are preferably each designed identically.

[0075] The concept according to the invention allows the positioning of the mobile inductive charging device at different heights, ie at different distances in the height direction, in different motor vehicles to be taken into account in a simplified manner, in particular without recalibration, preferably without calibration.

[0076] It is understood that the system can also have five or more transmission coils, which in operation each generate localization fields that can be distinguished from one another.

[0077] The system according to the invention can be used to identify the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another at any distance. In particular, the system can be used to navigate the energy coils and orient the energy coils relative to one another in any distance range.

[0078] Advantageously, the system is used for detecting relative positions and / or for navigation in the so-called near field, ie at a distance of less than 1.5 m, preferably less than 1.0 m, in particular less than 0.5 m.

[0079] It should be understood that in addition to the system, the inductive charging device of the system, ie the stationary inductive charging device and the mobile inductive charging device, respectively, also therefore belongs to the scope of the present invention.

[0080] The invention also includes the mobile use of a mobile inductive charging device having the system, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0081] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0082] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or components having the same function.

[0084] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

[0085] Figure 1 A highly simplified schematic diagram showing a system for inductive energy transfer,

[0086] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the virtual volume is shown,

[0087] Figure 3 A simplified top view of a stationary inductive charging device of the system is shown,

[0088] Figure 4 shows a cross section of a stationary inductive charging device,

[0089] Figure 5 shows a graph with a localization field,

[0090] Figure 6 A simplified top view showing the transmitting coil and receiver of the system,

[0091] Figure 7 shows a graph with the localization field received by the receiver,

[0092] Figure 8 shows a graph with a further localization field received by a receiver,

[0093] Fig. 9 A flow chart is shown for explaining the identification of the relative position of a mobile inductive charging device relative to a stationary inductive charging device of the system,

[0094] Fig.10 An exploded schematic diagram showing parts of a stationary inductive charging device,

[0095] Fig.11 In another embodiment, Fig.10 The schematic diagram in

[0096] Fig.12 Show Fig.11 Detailed view in

[0097] Fig.13 A top view of the transmitting coil of the system is shown,

[0098] Fig.14 A top view showing the energy coils of the system,

[0099] Fig.15 Shown in Fig.14 With the help of the section marked with CC,

[0100] Fig.16 Shown in Fig.15 An enlarged schematic diagram of the region indicated by XII in FIG.

[0101] Fig.17 In another embodiment, Fig.16 The view in

[0102] Fig.18 In another embodiment, Fig.14 The view in

[0103] Fig.19 Shown in Fig.18 With the help of the section marked with AA,

[0104] Fig. 20 In another embodiment, Fig.18 The cross section in

[0105] Fig.21 Shown in Fig.19 In the embodiment of Fig.18 In the part marked with CC,

[0106] Fig. 22 Shown in Fig. 20 In the embodiment of Fig.15 In the part marked with CC,

[0107] Fig.23 In another embodiment, Fig.18 The view in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] As in Figure 1As shown in a highly simplified and circuit diagram-like manner in FIG. 1 , the system 1 is used for inductive energy transmission to a mobile application 100, in particular to charge a battery 102 of the mobile application 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the application 100 is a motor vehicle 101. For this purpose, the system 1 has two inductive charging devices 2 that interact inductively with each other during charging operation, namely a stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a and a mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b for the application 100. In the illustrated embodiment, purely by way of example, the stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a is arranged on a roadway that is not drawn in more detail. Of course, the stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a can also be at least partially accommodated in the roadway and in particular flush with the roadway. In order to perform inductive energy transmission during charging operation, the corresponding inductive charging device 2 has an associated coil 3. These coils 3 are also referred to as energy coils 3 hereinafter. Therefore, the stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a has a stationary energy coil 3, 3a, and the mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b has a mobile energy coil 3, 3b. That is, one of the energy coils 3 is used as a primary coil 12 for charging operation, which generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the other energy coil 3 used as a secondary coil 13 for energy transmission. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy coils 3 are each designed as a flat coil 7. In the charging operation, the inductive charging devices 2 are spaced apart from each other in the height direction 200. In order to enable the charging operation and achieve high efficiency in the charging operation, the energy coils 3 are positioned relative to each other transversely to the height direction 200, that is, in a longitudinal direction 201 extending transversely to the height direction 200 and in a transverse direction 202 extending transversely to the height direction 200 and transversely to the longitudinal direction 201. For this purpose, the system 1 has a positioning device 4, by means of which the relative position of the energy coils 3 relative to each other is determined in the positioning operation. Advantageously, the positioning operation is performed before the charging operation in order to achieve an optimal relative positioning of the energy coils 3 relative to each other and thus achieve increased efficiency.

[0109] In the exemplary embodiment shown, during charging operation, energy is transferred from stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a to mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b in order to charge battery 102 of motor vehicle 101. Accordingly, during charging operation, stationary power coil 3, 3a serves as primary coil 12 and mobile power coil 3, 3b serves as secondary coil 13. Figure 1As can be seen in , in the exemplary embodiment shown, mobile inductive charging device 2, 2a has a rectifier 14 connected between secondary coil 13 and battery 102 in order to convert the AC voltage induced in secondary coil 13 into a rectified voltage. In the exemplary embodiment shown, height direction 200 also corresponds to the Z direction of motor vehicle 101. Moreover, purely by way of example, longitudinal direction 201 and transverse direction 202 also correspond to the X direction or Y direction of motor vehicle 101.

[0110] The locating device 4 has four coils 5 for detecting the relative positioning of the energy coils 3 relative to one another, which coils each generate a field 60 in the locating operation, hereinafter referred to as Figure 2 The fields are described. These coils 5 are also referred to as transmitting coils 5 below. These fields 60 are also referred to as localization fields 60 below. In the illustrated embodiment, the localization device 4 has exactly four transmitting coils 5, namely a first transmitting coil 5, 5a, a second transmitting coil 5, 5b, a third transmitting coil 5, 5c and a fourth transmitting coil 5, 5d. Thus, a total of four localization fields 60 that can be distinguished from each other are generated, namely a first localization field 60, 60a, a second localization field 60, 60b, a third localization field 60, 60c and a fourth localization field 60, 60d (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the corresponding transmitting coil 5 generates a magnetic localization field 60. Figure 1 In the view shown in , only two of the transmitting coils 5 can be seen here. The positioning fields 60 are generated in such a way that they can be distinguished from each other. In addition, the positioning device 4 has at least one receiver 6, which interacts with the positioning field 60 during the positioning operation. Here, based on the difference between the positioning fields 60, a distinction can be made between the positioning fields 60 with the help of the at least one receiver 6. Here, one of the inductive charging devices 2 has a transmitting coil 5 and the other has a receiver 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the stationary inductive charging devices 2, 2a have a transmitting coil 5 and the mobile inductive charging devices 2, 2b have at least one receiver 6. In the illustrated embodiment, purely by way of example, a single receiver 6 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one receiver 6 is designed as a coil 15, which is also referred to as a receiving coil 15 hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitting coil 5 is different from the first energy coil 3, 3a. In the illustrated embodiment, purely by way of example, the at least one receiving coil 15 is different from the second energy coil 3, 3b. For example Figure 7 As shown in FIG. , the transmitting coils 5 are arranged at a distance from one another, and in each case two of the transmitting coils 5 are arranged opposite one another.

[0111] In the embodiment shown, the transmitting coil 5 is constructed identically, i.e., is a universal component. Fig.10 As shown by way of example in FIG. 1 , the corresponding transmitting coil 5 is a flat coil 7 having at least one conductor path (not shown explicitly) which is wound around an associated winding axis (not shown) extending parallel to the height direction 200. The corresponding localization field 60 therefore has a main axis extending along the height direction 200, i.e. propagates at least predominantly in or along the height direction 200 and can therefore only be received partially transversely to the height direction 200.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the generation of the localization fields 60 that can be distinguished from each other is achieved, for example, in the following manner: the corresponding localization fields 60 are generated at the assigned frequency. That is to say, the corresponding transmitting coils 5 are operated at the assigned frequency so that the localization fields 60 can be distinguished from each other. Here, the frequencies are in particular in the range between 120kHz and 145kHz, and are, for example, spaced apart from each other by a few Hz to a few kHz. For example, the frequencies can be spaced apart by 5kHz or 1kHz or 100Hz or less. Similarly, the distinction can be achieved by means of duty cycles.

[0113] As from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 5 , four transmitting coils 5 are arranged such that the transmitting coils 5 delimit a virtual frame 50. Thus, the frame 50 is a virtual surface delimited by the transmitting coils 5. Here, the virtual frame 50 defines a volume 51 extending from the frame 50 in the height direction 200, which volume is also referred to as the frame volume 51 below. Here, the power coils 3 of the associated inductive charging device 2, that is, the stationary power coils 3, 3a in the illustrated embodiment, are at least partially arranged in the virtual frame volume 51. Thus, the power coils 3 of the associated inductive charging device 2 are at least partially arranged in the frame 50, or are arranged offset with respect to the frame 50 in the height direction 200 and are therefore arranged in the frame volume 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitting coils 5 are spaced apart from the power coils 3 of the associated inductive charging device 2 and are therefore spaced apart from the stationary power coils 3, 3a in the height direction 200. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, two of the transmitting coils 5 are arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202. Transmitting coils 5 lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201 are also referred to below as longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x, and transmitting coils 5 lying opposite each other in the transverse direction 202 are also referred to below as transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y. Accordingly, the localization fields 60 generated by the longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x are also referred to below as longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x with respect to one another, and the localization fields 60 generated by the transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y are also referred to below as transverse localization fields 60, 60y with respect to one another.

[0114] For example Figure 2As shown in , in the illustrated embodiment, the transmitting coil 5 is arranged in the corner 57 of the quadrangle 54 shaped as a rectangle 55, so that the frame 50 has the shape of the rectangle 55. Therefore, the frame volume 51 is cuboid. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the frame 50 has the shape of a square 56. By arranging the transmitting coils 5 in the corners 57 of the rectangle 55, the corresponding transmitting coils 5 are not only longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x but also transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y. Therefore, in the case of four transmitting coils 5, there are two pairs of transmitting coils 5 that are opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202. Similarly, the corresponding localization field 60 is not only a longitudinal localization field 60, 60x but also a transverse localization field 60, 60y. In the localization operation, with the aid of at least one receiver 6, a ratio 62 between at least two localization fields in the localization field 60 is determined (see Figure 5 ). In addition, it is detected based on at least one ratio 62 whether the power coil 3 of the inductive charging device 2 with at least one receiver 6 is located within the virtual frame volume 51 and a positioning signal is outputted accordingly. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment shown, it is detected based on at least one ratio 62 whether the mobile power coil 3, 3b is located within the frame volume 51 and is therefore arranged above the stationary power coil 3, 3a in the height direction 200 and also overlaps the stationary power coil 3, 3a at least partially transversely to the height direction 200. In this case, the ratio 62 is predetermined accordingly.

[0115] As from Figure 2 As can be seen in the embodiment shown, the positioning device 4 is configured in such a way that a virtual target area 52 is defined within the frame 50. Therefore, the target area 52 is smaller than the frame 50. Here, the target area 52 defines a virtual volume 53 extending in the height direction 200 within the frame volume 51, which virtual volume is also referred to as the target volume 53 below and is Figure 2 . In this case, the energy coil 3 of the inductive charging device 2 with the transmitting coil 5, i.e. the stationary energy coil 3, 3a in the illustrated embodiment, is at least partially arranged in the target volume 53. In addition, the positioning device 4 is configured such that it recognizes, based on at least one determined ratio 62, whether the energy coil 3 of the inductive charging device 2 with the receiver 6 is within the target volume 53. Accordingly, at least one ratio 62 is predetermined in advance. In this case, the frame volume 51 and the target volume 53 are defined in such a way that a high efficiency of, for example, at least 90% is achieved in the charging operation when the energy coil 3 is arranged accordingly in the frame volume 51 and in the target volume 53. In this case, the target volume 53 is selected such that the efficiency when overlapping in the target volume 53 is greater than the efficiency when overlapping in the frame volume 51. As shown in FIG. Figure 3As shown in FIG, target volume 53 and thus target region 52 in the projection into height direction 200 is smaller than associated inductive charging device 2 , ie, smaller than stationary inductive charging device 2 , 2 a in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

[0116] As from Figure 5 As can also be seen in the embodiment shown, for the overlap of the energy coil 3 along the opposite transmission coil 5, not a single ratio 62 is defined, but an associated ratio range 63 is defined. This means that if the determined ratio 62 is within the associated ratio range 63, an overlap of the energy coil 3 is detected. The ratio range 63 is predetermined in advance. The corresponding ratio range 63 is predetermined in advance by a fixed presetting, so that the ratio range 63 is stored and calibration is omitted.

[0117] The positioning signal can be used for manual movement of the application 100 or for autonomous movement of the application 100. That is, in the embodiment of the motor vehicle 101, the positioning signal can be used to signal the vehicle driver (not shown) whether there is a desired orientation of the energy coils 3 relative to each other. For this purpose, Figure 1 As shown, motor vehicle 101 may have an output device 103 which outputs corresponding signals.

[0118] according to Figure 5 The detection of the overlap of power coils 3 is explained. Figure 5 The course of two localization fields 60 is shown, which are generated by means of two transmission coils 5 lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201 or two transmission coils 5 lying opposite each other in the transverse direction 202. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the positioning field 60 shown is optionally a longitudinal positioning field 60, 60x or a transverse positioning field 60, 60y. In order to better distinguish, one of the positioning fields 60 is shown by a dotted line. Figure 5 The intensity profile 64 of the longitudinal localization field 60, 60x along the longitudinal direction 201 or the intensity profile of the transverse localization field 60, 60y along the transverse direction 202 is shown. Figure 5 , the localization fields 60 of the opposing transmitting coils 5 overlap in the target volume 53. Figure 5 As can be seen in , the localization fields 60 have the same intensity profile. That is to say, the localization fields 60 are generated with the same field distribution in each case. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the transmission coils 5 are designed and the localization fields 60 are generated in such a way that the total intensity profile 66 of the localization field 60 generated by the transmission coils 5 is symmetrical between the opposing transmission coils 5 and thus between the intensity maxima 61 and is symmetrical with respect to the stationary power coils 3, 3b.

[0119] As from Figure 5 As can also be seen in FIG. 6 , the corresponding localization field 60 has an intensity curve 64 with an intensity flank 65 leading to an intensity maximum 61. Figure 5 As can also be seen from the figure, the intensity maxima 61 are spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the transmitting coil 5 is arranged and / or the localization field 60 is generated. Figure 5 As can also be seen in FIG. 6 , the intensity maximum 61 of the corresponding positioning field 60 is formed in the manner of a double hump. This is especially because, in the case of corresponding positioning, the receiver 6 senses the transition of the magnetic field lines (not shown). Figure 5 , in which the corresponding ratio range 62 is arranged between the successive intensity flanks 65 of the localization field 60 generated by means of the opposite, assigned transmission coil 5 and is spaced apart from the intensity maximum 61. Here, for the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x with the intensity maximum 61 opposite in the longitudinal direction 201, the assigned longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x is respectively predetermined in advance, and for the transverse localization fields 60, 60y with the intensity maximum 61 opposite in the transverse direction 202, the assigned transverse ratio range 63, 63y is respectively predetermined in advance. Here, the predetermined ratio range 63 is preferably stored, so that by a simple comparison between the determined ratio 62 and the assigned ratio range 63, it can be detected whether there is a corresponding overlap between the energy coils 3.

[0120] That is to say, the longitudinal transmission coils 5, 5x are arranged and the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x are generated in such a way that the intensity maxima 61 of the two longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x are arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201. Here, for at least two of the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x, the assigned longitudinal ratio ranges 63, 63x are predefined in advance. From the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x received by means of the receiver 6, the longitudinal ratios 62, 62x between at least two of the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x are determined. If the determined longitudinal ratios 62, 62x are within the assigned predefined longitudinal ratio ranges 63, 63x, then the overlap of the energy coil 3 in the target volume 53 in the longitudinal direction 201 is identified. Similar contents apply to the overlap in the transverse direction 202. That is to say, the transverse transmission coils 5, 5y are arranged and / or the transverse localization fields 60, 60y are generated in such a way that the intensity maxima 61 of the two transverse localization fields 60, 60y are arranged opposite each other in the transverse direction 202. In addition, for at least two of the transverse localization fields 60, 60y, an assigned transverse ratio range 63, 63y is predefined in advance. In the localization operation, a transverse ratio 62, 62y between at least two of the transverse localization fields 60, 60y is determined from the transverse localization fields 60, 60y received by means of the receiver 6. If the determined transverse ratio 62, 62y lies within the assigned predefined transverse ratio range 63, 63y, then an overlap 3 of the energy coil 3 in the target volume 53 in the transverse direction 202 is detected. That is, when not only at least one of the longitudinal proportions 62, 62y is located within the longitudinal proportion range 63, 63y and at least one of the transverse proportions 62, 62y is located within the transverse proportion range 63, 63y, there is an overlap of the energy coil 3 in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202.

[0121] For example, a ratio range 63 between 10:0.05 and 0.05:10 may be specified for the overlap in the frame volume 51 , and a ratio range 63 between 1:0.1 and 0.1:1 may be specified for the overlap in the target volume 53 .

[0122] Figure 6 A simplified top view of the transmission coil 5 is shown in the height direction 200 . It is assumed here that the receiver 15 moves in the longitudinal direction 201 between the first transmission coil 5 , 5 a and the second transmission coil 5 , 5 b. Figure 7 The locating fields 60 of the first transmitting coil 5 , 5 a and of the second transmitting coil 5 , 5 b which are received by the receiver 15 during the movement in the longitudinal direction 201 and thus the first locating field 60 , 60 a and the second locating field 60 , 60 b are shown. Figure 8The third transmitting coil 5, 5c and the fourth transmitting coil 5, 5b are shown as the positioning fields 60 received when the receiver 15 moves along the longitudinal direction 201, and thus the fourth positioning fields 60, 60c and the fourth positioning fields 60, 60d are shown. The first positioning field 60, 60a and the second positioning field 60, 60b are longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x relative to each other. Similarly, the third positioning field 60, 60c and the fourth positioning field 60, 60d are longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x relative to each other. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the comparison of , the double hump shape of the localization field 60 received by the receiver 15 is more obvious for the localization field 60 close to the receiver 15 than for the localization field 60 far from the receiver 15. That is, in the described example, the double hump shape is more obvious for the first localization field 60, 60a and the second localization field 60, 60b received than for the third localization field 60, 60c and the fourth localization field 60, 60d received. Here, for easier understanding, Figure 8 60, in this example, the third and fourth localization fields 60, 60c and 60d are not shown. Accordingly, advantageously, the ratio 62 of the two localization fields in the localization field 60 with the opposite intensity maximum 61 is obtained, and when the deviation of the ratio 62 is greater than the predetermined limit value, the ratio 62 of the localization field 60 with lower intensity is used to identify the relative position. That is, the following localization field 60 is therefore used: the ratio 62 obtained from the localization field is further spaced apart from the intensity maximum 61. Therefore, it is particularly prevented that the double hump shape described above of the intensity maximum 61 causes the wrong recognition of the position. In contrast, if the two ratios 62 basically correspond to each other, that is, if the ratios 62 are basically the same or within the predetermined value range, the two ratios 62 are averaged for identifying the relative position.

[0123] In the event that the determined ratio 62 deviates from the assigned ratio range 63 in the direction of the intensity maximum 61 of one of the assigned localization fields 60, a displacement of the receiving power coil 3 of the inductive charging device 2 and thus of the receiver 6 towards the intensity maximum 61 and thus towards the transmitting coil 5 generating the intensity maximum 61 is also detected: the ratio 62 is shifted towards the intensity maximum / the transmitting coil. In other words, if the determined longitudinal ratio 62, 62x is shifted from the assigned longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x towards one of the intensity maxima 61 of one of the assigned longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x, this means that there is a displacement of the mobile power coil 3, 3b from the target volume 53 along the longitudinal direction 201 towards the longitudinal transmitting coil 5, 5x generating the longitudinal localization field 60, 60x with the intensity maximum 61 towards which the determined longitudinal ratio 62, 62x is shifted. The same applies to the determined transverse ratios 62, 62y. That is to say, if the determined lateral ratio 62, 62y moves from the assigned lateral ratio range 63, 63y towards an intensity maximum in the intensity maximum 61 of one of the assigned lateral positioning fields 60, 60y, this means that there is a displacement of the mobile power coil 3, 3b from the target volume 53 along the lateral direction 202 towards the following lateral transmitting coil 5, 5y: the lateral transmitting coil generates a lateral positioning field 60, 60y with the following intensity maximum 61: towards which the determined lateral ratio 62, 62y moves. Navigation of the mobile inductive charging device 2, 2a can thus be achieved in such a way that an overlap of the two power coils 3 is achieved in the target volume and therefore not only in the longitudinal direction 201 but also in the lateral direction 202. As Figure 1 As shown, this can be achieved by means of output device 103 in order to output whether and in which direction a relative movement of mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b relative to stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a is required in order to achieve an overlap of power coils 3 in longitudinal direction 201 and in transverse direction 202. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , purely by way of example, this is visually illustrated with the aid of Figure 1 The display of the arrow shown in is realized. Likewise, it is conceivable that the output device 103 outputs an acoustic signal. It is also conceivable that this result is implemented autonomously, so that the motor vehicle 101 is driven autonomously in order to achieve the overlap of the energy coils 3 .

[0124] The maximum efficiency in the charging operation is achieved with the corresponding relative positions of the energy coils 3 relative to one another, which are also referred to as central arrangements in the following text. Here, the central arrangements are respectively assigned ratios 63 within the ratio range 63. That is to say, with a predetermined central longitudinal ratio in the longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x, there is a central arrangement of the energy coils 3 relative to one another in the longitudinal direction 201. Furthermore, with a predetermined central transverse ratio in the transverse ratio range 63, 63y, there is a central arrangement of the energy coils 3 relative to one another in the transverse direction 202. Therefore, if not only at least one of the determined longitudinal ratios 62, 62x corresponds to the assigned central longitudinal ratio, but also at least one of the determined transverse ratios 62, 62y corresponds to the assigned central transverse ratio, there is an overall central arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding central ratio is 1:1, such as Figure 5 Analogously to the explanations above, it is possible here to carry out navigation in such a way that there is an overall central arrangement of the energy coils 3 .

[0125] Fig. 9 A flow chart is shown for explaining the identification of the relative positions of energy coils 3 with respect to one another. When application 100 and therefore mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b approaches stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a, a localization operation is triggered. This is the case, for example, when the distance between inductive charging devices 2 relative to one another transversely to height direction 200 is less than 1.5 m, in particular less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m. The triggering of the localization operation can be achieved, for example, by means of a ping signal output by mobile inductive charging device 2, 2b, upon receipt of which mobile inductive charging device 2, 2a generates a localization field 60 with the aid of transmitting coil 5. According to Fig. 9In method measure 300 (hereinafter also referred to as receiving measure 300), a localization field 60 is received by means of a receiver 6, and in a subsequent method measure 301, the localization fields are separated from each other in such a way that the strengths of the localization fields 60 can be distinguished from each other. In this case, in method measure 301, in particular, a Fourier transformation of the signal received by means of the receiver 6 is carried out, that is, in the case of the receiving coil 15, a Fourier transformation of the voltage induced in the receiving coil 6 by means of the localization field 60. This method measure 301 is also referred to as separation measure 301 below. Therefore, the result of the separation measure 301 is an assigned value for the corresponding localization field 60, so that there are four values ​​in total. In method measure 302, the assigned longitudinal ratios 62, 62x and transverse ratios 62, 62y are respectively determined from these values ​​for the longitudinal localization fields 60, 60x and for the transverse localization fields 60, 60y. Advantageously, a corresponding plurality of values ​​is averaged here, for example the ten values ​​determined last are averaged, in order to increase the accuracy of the method and / or reduce the susceptibility to errors. This method measure 302 is also referred to below as proportional measure 302. In method measure 303, the ratio 62 determined in the proportional measure 102 is compared with a corresponding predefined proportional range 63, and based on this comparison it is determined whether there is a corresponding overlap of the energy coils 3, i.e. whether there is an arrangement of mobile energy coils 3, 3b within the target volume 53. This method measure 303 is also referred to below as comparison measure 303. Here, the comparison measure 303 outputs at least one positioning signal, such as Fig. 9 Here, the positioning signal is preferably used for navigation of the mobile application 100, as described above. Accordingly, the positioning signal can be provided to the output device 103 for use.

[0126] To perform relative position identification, the Figure 1 1 and 2. The control device 16 is shown simplified in FIG. 1 and is designed accordingly. The control device 16 can be a component of the locating device 4, of the system 1 or of the application 100. In this case, the method can be implemented with the aid of a computer program product.

[0127] according to Figure 4 , an inductive charging device 2 having a transmitting coil 5, in the present case a stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a, in the illustrated embodiment has a flat coil 7 as a power coil 3, which is larger than the transmitting coil 5. Furthermore, the stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a has a flux guiding unit 8, which serves to guide the alternating field generated by the stationary power coil 3, 3a during charging operation. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the flux guiding unit 8 has a flux guiding element 9, which is designed as a ferrite plate 10. In this case, the transmitting coil 5 overlaps with the stationary power coil 3, 3a and is arranged in a rectangle 55 (see, for example Figure 2 ) and is arranged in a plane extending parallel to the stationary power coils 3, 3a. Furthermore, the transmitting coil 5 is arranged above the magnetic flux guidance unit 9.

[0128] Figure 4 The following shows possible relative positions of the transmitting coil 5 relative to the stationary power coil 3, 3a. Accordingly, the transmitting coil 5 can be arranged in the height direction 200 between the stationary power coil 3, 3a and the magnetic flux guiding unit 8, on the side of the magnetic flux guiding unit 8 facing away from the stationary power coil 3, 3a, or on the side of the foreign object detector 17 of the stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a facing the stationary power coil 3, 3a.

[0129] Figures 10 to 12 as well as Figures 14 to 17 The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shows a stationary inductive charging device 2 with a pyramid-shaped arrangement of magnetic flux conducting elements 9 (see Fig.12 ), which is a stationary inductive charging device, in particular, constructed according to current SAE / ISO. Fig.14 3a shows a top view of a stationary power coil 3, 3a, in which the position of the transmitting coil 5 can be seen. Therefore, as mentioned above, the transmitting coil 5 can be arranged between the power coil 3 and the magnetic flux guiding unit 8, such as Fig.10 and Fig.16 Alternatively, the transmitting coil 5 can be arranged on the side of the stationary power coil 3, 3a facing away from the flux guiding unit 8, such as Fig.11 as well as Fig.17 As shown in Fig.17 In the exemplary embodiment of , the transmission coil 5 is arranged on the side of the coil carrier 11 carrying the mobile power coil 3, 3a facing away from the flux guidance unit 8. The thickness of the respective transmission coil 5 extending in the height direction 200 is preferably at most 1 cm.

[0130] Figures 18 to 22 A further exemplary embodiment of a stationary inductive charging device 2, 2a is shown, for example an exemplary embodiment according to SAE 2016. Fig.18 FIG. 1 shows a top view of a stationary power coil 3 , 3 a , in which the position of the transmitting coil 5 is shown. Fig.19 and Fig.21 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the transmitting coil 5 is arranged between the energy coils 3 , 3 a and the magnetic flux guidance unit 8 . Fig. 20 and Fig. 22 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG, the transmission coil 5 is arranged on the side of the coil carrier 11 carrying the mobile power coil 3, 3a facing away from the flux guidance unit 8. The thickness of the respective transmission coil 5 extending in the height direction 200 is preferably at most 1 cm.

[0131] Fig.23 A further exemplary embodiment is shown which differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that the transmitting coil 5 is arranged offset inwards.

Claims

1. A system (1) for inductive energy transmission, in particular for inductive energy transmission to a mobile application (100), The system comprises a stationary inductive charging device (2, 2a) having a stationary power coil (3, 3a), The system comprises a mobile inductive charging device (2, 2b) having a mobile energy coil (3, 3b), in, During charging operation of the system (1), one of the energy coils (3) generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the other energy coil (3) for energy transmission. wherein, during the charging operation, the inductive charging devices (2) are spaced apart from one another in a height direction (200), The system has a positioning device (4) for identifying the relative positioning of the energy coils (3) relative to one another. The locating device (4) has four transmitting coils (5) in one of the inductive charging devices (2) and at least one receiver (6) in the other inductive charging device (2). The transmitting coils (5) are arranged spaced apart from one another and two of the transmitting coils (5) are arranged opposite one another, so that the transmitting coils (5) delimit a virtual frame (50), which defines a virtual frame volume (51), which also extends in a height direction (200), wherein a power coil (3) of an associated inductive charging device (2) is at least partially arranged in the virtual frame volume (51), The locating device (4) is designed in such a way that the transmitting coils (5) respectively generate locating fields (60) which can be distinguished from one another during the locating operation. wherein the at least one receiver (6) is designed such that, in the locating mode, the at least one receiver interacts with a locating field (60) generated by means of a transmitting coil (5) of the further inductive charging device (2). The locating device (4) is designed such that during the locating operation, the locating device determines a ratio (62) between at least two locating fields of the locating fields (60) by means of the at least one receiver (6) and detects based on at least one ratio (62) whether a power coil (3) of an inductive charging device having the at least one receiver (6) is located within the virtual frame volume (51) and outputs a locating signal accordingly.

2. The system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) is designed such that a virtual target area (52) is bounded within the frame (50), wherein the target area (52) defines a virtual target volume (53) within the frame volume (51), the virtual target volume extending in a height direction (200), and an energy coil (3) of an inductive charging device (2) having the transmitting coil (5) is at least partially arranged in the virtual target volume. The locating device (4) is designed such that it detects, based on the at least one ratio (62), whether a power coil (3) of an inductive charging device (2) having the at least one receiver (6) is located within the target volume (53).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) is designed such that in the locating mode at least one of the transmitting coils (5), in particular the respective transmitting coil (5), generates a magnetic locating field (60).

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that In the localization operation, the corresponding transmitting coils (5) generate a localization field (60) having an intensity maximum (61), wherein the transmitting coils (5) are arranged spaced apart from one another and / or the localization device (4) is operated in such a way that the intensity maxima (61) of the localization field (60) are spaced apart from one another and the localization fields (60) of at least two of the opposing transmitting coils (5) coincide in the frame volume (51), in particular in the target volume (53).

5. The system according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The positioning device (4) is configured such that The frame volume (51), in particular the target volume (53), is arranged in a predefined ratio range (63) between intensity maxima (61) of the localization fields (60) of respectively opposing transmission coils (5).

6. The system according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that The predefined ratio range (63) is spaced apart from the intensity maximum (61).

7. A system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, It is characterized in that The corresponding localization field (60) has an intensity curve (64) with intensity flanks (65) leading to the intensity maximum (61), wherein the frame volume (51), in particular the target volume (53), is arranged between successive intensity flanks (65) of the localization field (60) generated by means of opposing transmission coils (5).

8. A system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, It is characterized in that The transmitting coils (5) are arranged spaced apart from one another and / or the locating device (4) is operated in such a way that the intensities of at least two of the locating fields (60) generated by means of the opposing transmitting coils (5) correspond to one another in the center of a power coil (3) of an inductive charging device (2) having the transmitting coils (5).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The transmitting coils (5) are designed identically.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, It is characterized in that The transmitting coils (5) are designed and / or the locating device (4) is operated in such a way that, in the locating mode, the transmitting coils (5) each generate the same intensity profile (64).

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil (5) is designed and / or the localization device (4) is operated in such a way that, in the localization mode, the total intensity curve (66) of the localization field (60) generated by the transmitting coil (5) is symmetrical.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that Two longitudinal transmitting coils (5, 5x) are arranged opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction (201) extending transversely to the height direction (200), and two transverse transmitting coils (5, 5y) are arranged opposite to each other in a transverse direction (202) extending transversely to the height direction (200) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (201).

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) is designed in such a way that, in the locating mode, the transmitting coils (5) are operated at different frequencies and the locating fields (60) are thus distinguishable.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) is designed in such a way that, in the locating mode, the transmitting coils (5) are operated with respectively assigned pulse duty factors and the locating fields (60) are thus distinguishable.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, It is characterized in that At least one of the transmitting coils (5) is designed as a flat coil (7).

16. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil (5) is arranged in such a way that the frame (50) is quadrangular (54), in particular rectangular (55).

17. The system according to claim 16, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil (5) is arranged such that the frame (51) is square (56).

18. The system according to claim 16 or 17, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil (5) is arranged in a corner (57) of the quadrangle (54).

19. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil (5) is different from the power coil (3) of the associated inductive charging device (2).

20. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) has a single receiver (6).

21. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, It is characterized in that The stationary inductive charging device (2, 2a) has the transmitting coil (5) and the mobile inductive charging device (2, 2b) has the at least one receiver (6).

22. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, It is characterized in that The mobile inductive charging device (2, 2b) has the transmitting coil (5) and the mobile inductive charging device (2, 2a) has the at least one receiver (6).

23. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, It is characterized in that The inductive charging device (2) having the transmitting coil (5) has a magnetic flux guiding unit (8) having a magnetic flux guiding element (9), in particular a ferrite plate (10), for guiding an alternating field generated during the charging operation. At least one of the transmitting coils (5), preferably the respective transmitting coil (5), is arranged on a side of the flux guidance unit (8) facing the power coil (3) of the further inductive charging device (2).

24. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 23, It is characterized in that The transmitting coils (5) are each configured as flat coils (7). An inductive charging device (2) having the transmitting coil (5): A flat coil (7) is provided as an energy coil (3), the energy coil being larger than the transmitting coil (5), A magnetic flux guiding unit (8) having a magnetic flux guiding element (9), in particular a ferrite plate (10), is provided for guiding an alternating field generated by the stationary power coil (3, 3a) during the charging operation. The transmitting coil (5) overlaps the power coil (3) and is arranged in a corner (57) of a quadrangle (54) in a plane extending parallel to the power coil (3).

25. The system according to claim 24, It is characterized in that The transmitting coil is arranged between the power coil (3) and the magnetic flux guidance unit (8) or on a side of a coil carrier (11) carrying the power coil (3) facing away from the power coil (3).

26. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 25, It is characterized in that The locating device (4) is designed, in particular the transmitting coil (5) is wound, in such a way that a main axis of the respective locating field (60) extends along the height direction (200).

27. The system according to claim 26, It is characterized in that The respective transmitting coil (5) is wound around a winding axis extending at least substantially in a height direction (200), so that a main axis of the localization field (60) extends along the height direction (200).

28. An inductive charging device (2) of a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A mobile application (100), in particular a motor vehicle (101), comprising a mobile inductive charging device (2, 2a) of a system (1) according to claim 1.

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